Disk protection method for removable magnetic recording/reproducing device

Abstract

In a disk protection method for protecting a magnetic recording disk upon ejection thereof from a removable magnetic recording/reproducing device by an eject mechanism through operation of an eject button, data writing relative to the magnetic recording disk is inhibited in response to a data write inhibit signal which is generated immediately after the operation of the eject button and before the eject mechanism actually starts the ejection of the magnetic recording disk. The eject mechanism actually ejects the magnetic recording disk from the removable magnetic recording/reproducing device in a condition where the data writing is inhibited.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disk protection method for protecting a magnetic recording disk upon ejection thereof from a removable magnetic recording/reproducing device by an eject mechanism through operation of an eject button, said method comprising: generating a data write inhibit signal immediately after a start of the operation of said eject button and before said eject mechanism actually starts said ejection of the magnetic recording disk from said removable magnetic recording/reproducing device;   inhibiting data writing relative to said magnetic recording disk in response to said data write inhibit signal; and   making said eject mechanism actually eject said magnetic recording disk from said removable magnetic recording/reproducing device in a condition where said data writing is inhibited;   wherein said magnetic recording disk comprises a magnetic recording medium with a landing zone, and said removable magnetic recording/reproducing device comprises a spindle motor for rotating said magnetic recording medium and a magnetic head for carrying out data writing/reading relative to said magnetic recording medium; and   wherein said disk protection method further comprises: deenergizing said spindle motor in response to said data write inhibit signal;   moving said magnetic head in response to said data write inhibit signal so as to escape to said landing zone of the magnetic recording medium;   braking said spindle motor after a start of movement of said magnetic head and before a start of actual ejection of said magnetic recording disk; and   determining a first delay time necessary for said magnetic head to securely escape to said landing zone of the magnetic recording medium, said braking of said spindle motor being started after a lapse of said first delay time from the start of movement of said magnetic head.     
     
     
       2. A disk protection method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining a second delay time necessary for rotation of said spindle motor to be fully stopped by braking said spindle motor, said actual ejection of said magnetic recording disk being started after a lapse of said second delay time from the start of braking of said spindle motor. 
     
     
       3. A disk protection method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said removable magnetic recording/reproducing device further comprises: a carriage holding said magnetic head;   a drive mechanism connected to said carriage for driving said carriage to carry said magnetic head; and   an eject switch connected to said eject button for generating said data write inhibit signal in response to the operation of said eject button.